chased leader, led briefly 7th, close up until ridden and weakened quickly approaching 3 out
prominent, hit 8th, headway 4 out, every chance approaching 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner
in touch, blundered 9th, short of room bend after 13th, chased leaders 4 out, never a danger
prominent, reminder after 9th, ridden and challenged 15th, led approaching 3 out, driven out
mid-division, blundered 14th, weakened 17th, pulled up before 3 out
led to 7th, led after, mistake 10th, lost touch approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leader, lost place 9th, ridden and behind 12th, pulled up before 15th
towards rear, mistake 15th, ridden and effort 4 out, hit last, one pace
soon behind, pulled up after 9th
Withdrawn
Quite a number of these hunters are pushing on age wise but Back Nine appeared as sprightly as ever at Sandown and is likely to be suited by the slower conditions today. He was beaten by an up and coming rival last time, nothing of which will emerge in this contest. Whitenzo and the selection have clashed twice, the score being one apiece to date. Whitenzo returns after almost twelve months off the course so it is likely he will need the outing with the Aintree foxhunters likely to be on the agenda. Red Brook Lad illustrated his well being with a very easy victory at Ludlow last month. He does display a preference for a quick surface though so today's soft ground is a worry. Back Nine is our pick to land the hunter chase.
Bill Haze 5-4fav (11-10) Always prominent, led 11th, ridden and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Beauchamp Oracle (11-8) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hts chs (5) frm in Apr '06.
Red Brook Lad 2-1 (12-0) Held up, mistake 8th, headway 12th, tracked leader from 15th, led 4 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Feb beating Beauchamp Oracle (12-0) by 18l, 8 ran.
Whitenzo (FR) 1-4fav (12-0) Chased leader, led 10th, clear 14th, not fluent 16th, eased flat, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gf in Apr beating Trade Off (12-0) by 20l, 4 ran.
Back Nine (IRE) 5-1 (12-3) Held up, mistake 9th, lost place 12th, headway 17th, chased winner 2 out, never neare, 2nd of 6, 5l behind You Do The Math (11-13) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd.
Dante's Back (IRE) 5-4fav (12-5) A.p; led 15; drvn out, won at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Lisheen Storm (12-5) by 2l, 15 ran.
Elenas River (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, reminders 10th, jumped slowly 11th, mistake 14th and fell 5 out in race won by Lou Du Moulin Mas (12-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Feb, 6 ran.
Thompsons Wood (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led to 1st; lost plce 12th; t.o & pulled up in race won by Premium First (11-0) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in Feb, 12 ran.
Merchants Friend (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Hdwy 10; led 3 out; sn in comm, won at Godstone 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Nathos (12-0) by 6l, 14 ran.
A Nice Sort 33-1 (11-7) (tt) a wl bhnd, 5th of 9, well behind Top View (12-0) at Bishops Court 3m ptp gd.
Ask Again 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until not fluent 7th and 8th, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Royal Hector (12-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
